may shows that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may shows that" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be a grammatical error, as "may" should be followed by a base form of the verb, which is "show" in this case. Example: "The data may show that the new strategy is effective."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It just may shows that currently the use colonoscopy is more often.

BMC Gastroenterology

The fact that there were only three MPs present at Gove's launch compared with the 60-plus already pledged to May shows that he has to make an explosive start out of the blocks to overcome her initial advantage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Letting the digital distribution cards fall where they may shows that Infinity Ward still considers the space as an extension of brick-and-mortar retail, and as we've seen in the past that approach can backfire.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Senser's may show that as well.

Harvard University

This survey may show that activity bounced back in January.

The Guardian - Business

"This week's official data may show that the squeeze on real pay is now over.

The Guardian - Business

The end of the season may show that Tampa Bay is still great as well.

The New York Times

Trump's returns may show that he pays a very low effective tax rate.

The New Yorker

All evidence may show that North Korea and Iran are where the greater threats lie.

The Guardian

More than anything, that may show that Mahony's influence, like his ecclesiastical authority, is undiminished.

The Washington Post

And time may show that it was not his only contribution to the future of South Africa.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the base form of the verb after "may", "might", or "could". Correct examples include "may show", "might indicate", and "could suggest".

Common error

Be careful not to conjugate the verb following modal verbs such as "may", "might", or "could". Incorrect usage includes conjugating the verb, e.g., "may shows" or "might showed". Ensure the verb remains in its base form, such as "may show" or "might indicate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may shows that" functions as an attempt to introduce a potential outcome or implication. However, it is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is "may show that", where "may" is a modal verb indicating possibility, and "show" is the base form of the verb.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "may shows that" attempts to express a possibility or potential outcome, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that the correct form is "may show that", where "may" is a modal verb and "show" is in its base form. The phrase's intended function is to introduce a suggestion, but its incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness. Usage contexts are primarily in news and science, but the grammatical error should be avoided to maintain credibility and clarity. It's crucial to use the base form of the verb after modal verbs to ensure grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may indicate that

Replaces "shows" with a more grammatically sound verb, indicating a possibility.

might suggest that

Uses "might" instead of "may" and "suggest" instead of "shows" for a similar level of certainty.

may demonstrate that

Substitutes "shows" with "demonstrate" to maintain a formal tone and indicate evidence.

could reveal that

Employs "could" instead of "may" and "reveal" instead of "shows" to express a possibility of uncovering something.

might imply that

Uses "might" to convey a possible inference instead of a direct demonstration.

may point to the fact that

Adds a more descriptive phrase to emphasize the direction of the evidence.

may lead one to believe that

Phrases the idea as a potential belief or conclusion.

it is possible that

Shifts the structure to emphasize possibility directly.

it's conceivable that

Replaces "may shows" with "it's conceivable" to convey possibility.

evidence suggests that

Focuses on the evidence suggesting a particular conclusion.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "may" to express a possibility or suggestion?

To correctly use "may" to express possibility or suggestion, always follow it with the base form of the verb. For example, use "may show", not "may shows".

What alternatives can I use instead of the grammatically incorrect phrase "may shows that"?

You can use alternatives like "may indicate that", "might suggest that", or "could reveal that" to express a similar meaning with correct grammar.

Is there a difference in meaning between "may show that" and "might show that"?

The difference between "may show that" and "might show that" is subtle. "May" implies a slightly higher probability or possibility than "might", but they are often used interchangeably.

How can I ensure I'm using modal verbs like "may", "might", and "could" correctly?

To ensure correct usage of modal verbs, always follow them with the base form of the verb. Avoid conjugating the verb, and double-check your sentences for grammatical accuracy.